Thank god some of the losers are gone!


And Burrow....why would anyone want Burrow. he is bloody terrible Just terrible!


On Eastmond....


Has potential just on his athletic ability, but FFS, he's playing , he is playing halfback, what the hell is that all about!

I think right now I'd like to see him playing Standoff and left there. I think his speed off the mark would be nice to have at second receiver and I have a feeling he may just have a bit of an instinct for the position.

You want someone that has a good short passing game, someone that can hold up the defense on the inside, but who can also put the foot down when an opportunity arises.


I dont want to see this kid be like every other good young English player and hit the peak of his career as a teenager. I want to see this kid given a chance to play HIS position, play it great, play it badly, but give him a change to play ONE position!

I remember Leon Pryce come onto the scene, he could have been a great winger or a very solid fullback. But he was moved around and now he is just a pedestrian standoff that doesnt do anything well.

We've tried and failed with the old guard, time for some new faces and build towards the next world cup. Hats off to Tony Smith for being brave enought to do what so many of the previous GB coaches have been afraid to do and give some of the so called big name players the chop!!

Look, you're not going to do anything in this competition not matter who you pick.


So, do you pick all the old losers and know nothing about your future, or do your pick young players who will also get slaughtered, but at least they now have experience and hey, one or two of them might be actually half decent at test level.

Unlikely, but its worth a shot.

Catch 22 for Smith. You've got to appluad him getting rid of the constant failures (wellens, Pryce, Gleeson) etc but they problem lies that those coming in aren't up to standard either. I'm certainly surprised at Gleesons omission. I'd also probably have given Leon a go at full back as I don't think Briscoe is any better than Wellens, certainly defensively. Of the 24 named, I'd go with

Briscoe (no other choice)
Fox
Smith
Shenton
Hall
McGuire
Eastmond
Morley
Moore
Peacock
Ellis
O'Loughlin
Sinfield

Graham
Roby
Carvell
Tomkins

What about your boys? Are you going to continue with proven losers like Inglis, Slater and Hodges? Will you get within 30 of the mighty world champions?

\

Freaky, stop talking sense, it doesnt suit you.

Spot on. Apart from the getting slaughtered bit hopefully.

I don't mind Bridge tbh, and I can't understand the uproar over his selection given the alternatives. His footwork at the line is a great asset and he has good hands, I fancy Smith to get the best out of him.

Sykes inclusion is amazing, he has performed particularly badly at international level, his defensive stats this season are terrible and he doesn't threaten in attack at all. IMO he doesn't deserve the call up no matter how you look at it. A perfect example of the losers LF is on about.

I also think there are better players available than Westwood. Aside from that, you can make a good enough case for everyone else.

He manages centre as you say, just on his athletic ability. His favoured position is half back and looks very assured when he gets to stand at first reciever, his kicking game is reasonably good and he has a good range of passing - so there's no need for him to rely soley on pace and agility. On the occasions he's played 6 he's looked a little lost, imo. Perhaps he's a little in two minds and not used to that postion.
Obviously with Long leaving Saints, he's going to be looking at the 7 shirt next season, but Saints also have young Gary Wheeler (a six) who is another good prospect.

You just called three of the best, more experienced, winningest players in the current generation, losers.

Well done, your training is complete.

That was actually a decent post by Freaky above although personally I see Eastmond as a 7 rather than a 6, Tomkins imo is the one much more suited to a 6.
I think Bridge might suprise a few people, really suprise a few. Seeing him since Gleeson went, he's got a certain class about how he puts his man away..you don't see an awful lot of these days. Ive said before, he's just a little too lightweight imo, think he only weighs in about 14 stone.
Smith may go fullback, I definately dont want him in the centres.

Named my preferred team here: leaguefreak.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=702 I was surprised Sykes made it. He was comically bad last year, like, hysterical laughter bad. Still, give him one more shot. Maybe the experienced did him good.

Named my preferred team here: leaguefreak.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=702 I was surprised Sykes made it. He was comically bad last year, like, hysterical laughter bad. Still, give him one more shot. Maybe the experienced did him good.

Quote ="The Glorious League Freak"Named my preferred team here: leaguefreak.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=702 I was surprised Sykes made it. He was comically bad last year, like, hysterical laughter bad. Still, give him one more shot. Maybe the experienced did him good.'" ahh showing that you actually watch the British game freaky I'm not sure i'd go with Ellis in the centres although it's certainly an option. I'd also play Myler at 7 and McGuire at 6 personally. McGuire's imo the best 6 we have available

Quote ="The Glorious League Freak"Named my preferred team here: leaguefreak.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=702 I was surprised Sykes made it. He was comically bad last year, like, hysterical laughter bad. Still, give him one more shot. Maybe the experienced did him good.'" ahh showing that you actually watch the British game freaky I'm not sure i'd go with Ellis in the centres although it's certainly an option. I'd also play Myler at 7 and McGuire at 6 personally. McGuire's imo the best 6 we have available

Quote ="The Glorious League Freak"Named my preferred team here: leaguefreak.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=702 I was surprised Sykes made it. He was comically bad last year, like, hysterical laughter bad. Still, give him one more shot. Maybe the experienced did him good.'" Thats actually a quite a good team you've picked there except mguire is never a 7, doesnt really have a kicking game and not a great organiser, he should stick to stand off, his natural and best position. Also roby is better as an impact hooker and moore is better starting.

Quote ="The Glorious League Freak"Named my preferred team here: leaguefreak.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=702 I was surprised Sykes made it. He was comically bad last year, like, hysterical laughter bad. Still, give him one more shot. Maybe the experienced did him good.'" Thats actually a quite a good team you've picked there except mguire is never a 7, doesnt really have a kicking game and not a great organiser, he should stick to stand off, his natural and best position. Also roby is better as an impact hooker and moore is better starting.

I'm having visions of Durham Giant headbutting his keyboard in a state of blind rage.



That's probably why he's not posted on this thread yet. Won't be long though.

Quote ="The Glorious League Freak"Named my preferred team here: leaguefreak.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=702 I was surprised Sykes made it. He was comically bad last year, like, hysterical laughter bad. Still, give him one more shot. Maybe the experienced did him good.'" I actually quite like your team but would make two changes: 1) swap Peacock and Burgess (JP hasn't played SR in years now) 2) I'd rather have the 21 year old Super League top try scorer on the wing than a player who's leaving the game in November (as you hint at above we need to build for the future)

Quote ="The Glorious League Freak"Named my preferred team here: leaguefreak.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=702 I was surprised Sykes made it. He was comically bad last year, like, hysterical laughter bad. Still, give him one more shot. Maybe the experienced did him good.'" I actually quite like your team but would make two changes: 1) swap Peacock and Burgess (JP hasn't played SR in years now) 2) I'd rather have the 21 year old Super League top try scorer on the wing than a player who's leaving the game in November (as you hint at above we need to build for the future)

I used to think that, but McGuire really impressed me for GB when he came on for Roby and Burrow went to hooker. His short passing game was excellent.

A few points.

1. I wouldn't have smith in the side, I think he is average, but the alternatives worry me on a "Har har" level.

2. I dont like Ellis at , but I once again don't like the alternatives. He is biog, strong, has experience and good footwork. I just want someone out wide that is quality, he doesnt have to be a world beater out there, just be there and get a job done.

3. I have always felt GB/England have played best with McGuire running the show. I think his kicking game is the best of all English players (Not great) but its more his passing game and general vision I like.

My MAJOR concern is that Sinfield will stop playing lock and start playing every other position. Sinfield needs to do HIS job, not be drawn into everyone elses.

4. Eastmond I think I've covered well.

5. I'm looking at the entire forward rotation and what I want out of the entire pack. Burgess is going to give England good go forward. I dont care what he has done in SL quite honestly.

Him and Morely will lay some type of platform. Peacock is on his last stand with me, he has been bloody terrible for a while. Westwood I liked last year just because he got stuck in and then you have Graham off the bench as well that will give a bit of impact rather than just filling a hole in the line and tackling away but producing nothing.

Briscoe
Hall
Eastmond
Shenton
Fox
McGuire
Tomkins/Myler
Graham
Roby
Peacock
Ellis
Westwood
O'Loughlin

Moore
Burgess (as impact prop)
Morley
Sinfield/Smith/Bridge

Crabtree and Carvell to provide cover for props

Eastmond at centre to put a bit more pace into the backline.

Burgess has played his best rugby at prop, and is not a loose forward apart from when we are playing the french

Eastmond is far too small to have him marking Hodges, Inglis, Hayne and the like.

I'm pretty chuffed with the squad. I agree with Tony Smith's comments...the Four Nations is obviously about now, but we have to look to the future. Giving the youngsters a chance this early in their careers can only be a good thing, it'll build their experience and show them what it's like at the top test level.

We've seen Wellens, Pryce et all picked year after year and fail against the Aussies...lets at least give these youngsters the chance to show what they are capable of on that stage. Sure, we may lose badly....but 4/5 years down the line we'll be competing better than the "old skool" bunch have done I'm certain.

Just on Pryce.....lots of talk about tensions between St Helens and Leeds players from the WC, I have nothing to base it on, but Im wondering if poor form wasn't the only reason he is sitting out this series.

Whilst I agree to some degree, what makes anyone think that this bunch will be anymore competitive than the last crop who've gone by?
Something that just occurred to me then.. everyones always moaning the standard of SL is going backwards

Shaun Briscoe (Hull Kingston Rovers, Wigan St Patricks)
Ryan Hall (Leeds, Oulton Raiders)
Kyle Eastmond (St Helens, Oldham St Annes)
Michael Shenton (Castleford Tigers, Upton)
Lee Smith (Leeds, Drighlington)
Danny McGuire (Leeds, East Leeds)
Richard Myler (Salford City Reds, Halton West Bank)
Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves, Eccles)
Scott Moore (Huddersfield Giants, Blackbrook)
Jamie Peacock (Leeds, Stanningley Rangers) (captain)
Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers, Castleford Lock Lane)
Sam Burgess (Bradford Bulls, Dewsbury Moor)
Kevin Sinfield (Leeds, Waterhead)

James Graham (St Helens, Blackbrook)
Garreth Carvell (Warrington Wolves, Stanningley)
Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)
James Roby (St Helens, Blackbrook)

The old players you KNOW are no good.

These new players, who knows, maybe among them there is a personality disorder in there that makes one of them play like a god at test level.

Which rules are they going to apply? The ultra-quick double-refereed NRL rules, the slow as Paul Wellens in concrete with 10 second play the balls like Super League or a middle ground?